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Zambia: The Church and the Government Are True Partners
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Ndola
THE Church and the Government are true partners in national development whose complementary efforts should benefit citizens even those in the outlying areas of the country.
The religious institutions on their part have been providing social services in education, health and other sectors. The Church has particularly been helpful in the provision of the essential social services in remote areas.
It is evident that some Church organisations have been offering services even in areas where the Government has not fully established infrastructure, such as roads schools and health centers.
A case in point is the Luano valley in Mkushi district, where the Catholic Church has been running the Ching'ombe Mission. The mission has provided a health centre, a basic school, and an agriculture project.
The area can only be accessed by road using big four-wheel drive vehicles and the community there wholly depends on the mission for social and other services. They also depend on the mission for transport to get to Mkushi boma and beyond.
This is just one example of the many projects the Church is undertaking in the remote parts of Zambia.
It is hoped that many Church organisations will not relent and resort to unnecessarily criticising and opposing Government programmes like some religious organisations are doing.
It is, therefore, important to heed Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe's advice that there should not be friction between the Government and the Church, but the two vital institutions should instead work together to improve the livelihood of the people in Zambia.
As the minister has observed, there are some Church groups that have been criticising and opposing the Government even on matters that are aimed at improving the living standards of people. The Church is expected to move in tandem with the Government in the development agenda.
However, the Church has every right to offer constructive criticism and offer checks and balances, which the Government should take seriously and make amends where necessary.
While it is evident that the Church is doing a commendable job, particularly in the social sector, it cannot be denied that there are certain sections of the Church that have done very little or nothing in contributing towards the development of the country. Such organisations have been part of those condemning Government programmes, even when they are aimed at serving the vulnerable groups.
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Some Church organisations have come out on the wrong end of the effort to give the country a new Republican constitution.
Mr Munkombwe has noted that there are some Church groups that are always working against the Government. These groups seem to have ulterior motives.
These two institutions work for the betterment of mankind and should be true partners in development.
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